Press Release from The Jim Henson Company

HOLLYWOOD, CA, September 9, 2011 –The Jim Henson Company has appointed Richard Goldsmith to the newly created position of Executive Vice President, Global Distribution. The announcement was made today by Peter Schube, President and COO.

Goldsmith will report to Schube and in his new role will oversee worldwide distribution of all company properties in the domestic and international markets across all media, including television, home entertainment and current and emerging digital platforms.

At this year’s upcoming MIPCOM, Goldsmith and his team will focus the Company’s efforts on licensing television, digital and DVD rights of the Company’s new 26 half-hour episode (52 x 11’) pre-school series PAJANIMALS, a co-production with 24-hour preschool television channel Sprout and NortheHrn Ireland’s Sixteen South. All new episodes of the series, which will debut in the U.S. in October exclusively on Sprout, will be previewed for the first time at MIPCOM.

“With our expanding production and development slate and the explosion of available distribution platforms around the world, it became increasingly apparent that we needed to bring onboard an executive of Richard’s caliber to maximize distribution opportunities on a global scale,” commented Schube. “Richard’s expertise in the global market with both traditional and new outlets will be extremely valuable as we continue to reach international audiences with classic and contemporary programming from our company.”

"I am thrilled to work with Lisa Henson, Peter Schube and the rest of the Jim Henson team to continue to build The Jim Henson Company's global presence," comments Goldsmith. "The Company has built a robust and diverse library of new and established properties, and there is tremendous opportunity worldwide to exploit these properties across multiple platforms.

Goldsmith’s team at The Jim Henson Company includes Patti Rose, who will continue to focus on program distribution in the international markets, and Andrew Thomas, Manager, Worldwide Distribution. Under Goldsmith’s direction, the team will continue to exploit program distribution rights for the company’s popular DINOSAUR TRAIN and SID THE SCIENCE KID animated properties, as well as the Company’s deep library of legacy titles, at MIPCOM.

Goldsmith joins The Jim Henson Company from Warner Bros. Entertainment where he most recently served as Executive Advisor for Strategic Distribution Initiatives for both the Digital Distribution and Consumer Products divisions. In that capacity, Goldsmith developed and acquired programming for transactional digital platforms including pay-per-view (PPV), video on demand (VOD), electronic sell through and wireless and also developed branded VOD channels for clients including Comcast. He was also charged with oversight of distribution for Warner Bros. Animation’s current television series (including Batman, Looney Tunes and Scooby-Doo!) in major international markets. Prior to that he served as Senior Vice President, new initiatives and ACME Lab, where he led global business development initiatives.

Previously, Goldsmith served as Vice President for Chartwell Partners, leading program acquisitions of movies, series and specials for Univision Communications’ three television networks – Univision, Galavision and Telefutura. Goldsmith was also President and Co-Owner of Hollywood Ventures Corporation, where produced the successful feature film, “Jack Frost,” for Warner Bros.

Currently in production in Northern Ireland with funding assistance by Northern Ireland Screen, PAJANIMALS features

The Jim Henson Company’s newest group of puppet characters, designed and built by the world-famous Jim Henson’s Creature Shop from original concepts by Los Angeles-based toy and clothing designer, artist Jeff Muncy. These adorable friends journey to imaginary lands to discover fun ways to meet the everyday challenges faced by young children everywhere. The series is based on the popular PAJANIMALS original musical interstitials (10 x 2’) which are also being offered to the international marketplace at MIPCOM. The PAJANIMALS will model the skills preschoolers need to take them through their day successfully. ABOUT THE JIM HENSON COMPANYThe Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include the Emmy nominated "Sid the Science Kid," "Dinosaur Train," "Wilson & Ditch: Digging America" and "Pajanimals." Features include "The Dark Crystal," "Labyrinth," "MirrorMask," and "Unstable Fables" and television productions include "Fraggle Rock" and the sci-fi cult series "Farscape." With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. Independently owned and operated by the five adult children of founder Jim Henson, the Company is also home to Jim Henson's Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry's top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand has recently announced the national tour of "Stuffed and Unstrung," a live puppet improvisational show named one of the top 10 “Best Stage Shows of 2010” by Entertainment Weekly. www.henson.com;www.facebook.com/hensoncompany; www.twitter.com/hensoncompany.